Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-08-04
in A TIGHT PLACE.
And How q Desperate Helped Me
Out of It.

Wcre DOth young NJ tnat time ana Ia
kota, at least, has greatly improved.
1t was early in the '7O's-fifteen
years ago-ehat found myself on a
Missouri river steamboat leaving
Omaha, Neb., and headed up stream.
! was not altogether clear as to where
was going. but l had an idea that
would stay by the boat so long rs my
money held out-which would not be
very long. l hoped at least TO reach
Dakota. Not that had any particu-
lar reason for going to Dakota more
than to Texas; but on the other hand
had Texas been rs near / should cer-
tainly have been as apt to have gone
there.
About all l know any one else,
for that matter-concelning Dakota
was that Yankton, in the extreme
southeastern part. was the capital and
that there was a little settlement in
that region, little more in the north
eastern corner, with perhaps a very
few scattering settlers along the rivers
elsewhere and number of forts each
with few United States troops.
The reason that 1 came TO think /
was going to explore the West was
that several weeks before I had run
away from home with that determine
tion-not very good reason. but the
only one ] had. My reason for run
ming away from home was ever less
obvious But ! was away and too
proud - 90 back-thoGgh subsequent
events reduced my stock of pride sew
eral hundred per cent.-if may be al
lowed to put it somewhat strongly. l
was almost beginning to consider my
self man. though have since look ed
back at the time calmly and could not
remember that any one else ever acted
as If he considered me any thing more
than boy.
On the occasion of which write the
boat Sadie Bolton plowed her way up
the thick. muddy waters of the Mis-
souri,. The mate swore at the deck
hands as occasion required. the pilot
swore at the river. the engineer swore
fis--s-.-..s..,.d pilot ~ ...-..-. ..-.I
the captain occasionally appeared and
swore at things in general.
Being of an inquiring turn Of mind,
explored the lower deck and got into
conversation with one of the crew.
From him learned that Buck Hawk
ins was on board. had heard of Buck
Hawkins as the most dangerous man
in that part Of the country. lie stayed
up the river in the neighborhood of
Yankton most Of the time. but 1 un-
derstood from my informant had been
down to ST. Louis on some sort OF busi-
ness and was returning TO Yankton. l
felt anxious TO see him az soon as l
found he was on board. The man told
me doubtless could do so IL l would
take the trouble TO hunt up the bar, as
he and some friends were indulging in
poker game in its immediate vicinity.
soon found the place, and to my
whispered inquiry spectator informed
me which of the four gathered around
the card-table was Hawkins. l was
somewhat surprised, rs he did not
look rs l had pictured him. He was
small, not over five feet and seven or
eight inches, and evidently weighed
less than one hundred and fifty
pounds. He had brown hair and gray
eyes, aud although his face showed
determination and force, there was
nothing Of the reckless desperate
which knew he had the reputation
OF being. watched the game for
some time. / learned that the other
three were all professional gamblers
and that Hawkins was losing. The
room was full of spectators, as It
seemed 10 possess interest for every
one on the boat Everybody expected
trouble. There were great stacks of
chips and money on the table, aud
Hawkins and the gambler opposite
him each had a heavy six-shootcr living
on the table in front Of him, while the
Others had similar weapons in their
belts. Every one knew that the
gamblers were not playing square
game and that IL was only a question
Of time when they got all Of Hawkins
money. That was Nhe time trouble
was expected. He had been drinking
heavily, and should he detect them
cheating 1t was known he would not
hesitate TO shoot them all unless they
shot him first
All the afternoon / RENAME close by
the table watching the game intently.
j had become almost as much interest
ed as the players. Hawkins money
was slowly but surely going. Once
sheD Hawkins was dealing he hap
pened 10 touch pile OF his chips and
they rolled OF on the floor Instantly
sprang and gathered them up and
placel them on the table. He lust
glanced at me and said ''thank your
and was deep In the game again. A
few minutes later there was a Jackpot.
Hawkins and the gambler opposite
went in. They raised each other till
there were several thousand dollars in
IL. At last they laid down Their hands.
Hawkins had four kings, but the gam
bier bad the -four aces, and reached for
the money and chips.
Il reckon that was all fair, ParsonPn
said Hawkins, as he looked across the
table at his opponent.
''Ie bot II was. Buck. We know l
never play no other way" replied the |
gambler, showing some signs Of nerv- !
business.
I'm glad Of IT," said Hawkins, pick
ing up bis revolver and holding Il care
lessly. 'yo all know what. I'd do
thought II wasn't"
Shoot. Of courle, Buck. that would |
be al rlght-but ~ squar. an ye' can
W. 90 81.
al rlgAh" apa Esmklps arose from